Page 31 of Demonic Affliction

“I’m sorry about that⁠—”

She waves me away. “Please. I’m just happy you are alive and seem to be okay.” She steps to the edge of the bed and sits on the corner. “Would you three mind if I have a few minutes alone with Willow?”

Once we’re alone, she looks at me, her gaze intense. “How are you really feeling?” she asks, though her tone makes it clear that's not really why she's here.

“Sore. Tired.” I shrug one shoulder. “Alive, so I can't complain too much.”

She doesn't smile at that. “Cin is locked down the hall, refusing to speak to anyone. So before we figure out what we're doing with him, I need you to tell me what happened. What were you two talking about right before he lost it?”

I hesitate. I think back to what Cin told me in the healing pools—about the Welwigs, the serafyn, and the inevitable end of the world—and I’m not sure how much is safe to tell her. What if she blames me? What if her mates decide that killing me is the best course of action?

“We were talking about a lot of things,” I say, carefully.

“What kind of things?”

I swallow hard. “We were talking about the Welwigs, mostly.”

“What about them?”

“Just basic stuff. Things you all probably know, but I didn’t because I’m a human.”

Dagny's jaw tightens. "Fine. Then tell me this: did he say or do anything that would explain why he snapped and tried to kill you?"

“Um, no. With Cin, that kind of thing happens. He snaps.”

“Does he always call you a serafyn?”

I suck in a breath. She heard that? “Sometimes…”

Before Dagny can ask anything else, the door bangs open, and Rhune and Nyx stumble into the room. Rhune crosses the distance in three strides, dropping to his knees at the side of the bed. His hand finds the mark on the back of mine, and I feel the tug of the bond answer to his touch.

Nyx is right behind him, grabbing my other hand and pressing it tight to his chest. “I felt your discomfort through the bond and came running.”

"We both felt it." Rhune’s narrowed eyes flicker to Dagny, and I can tell he’s deciding whether he cares about being polite right now.

Nyx doesn't need time to decide. "Whatever this is, it's done for tonight." He turns to Dagny, his jaw set. "She needs rest, not an interrogation."

Dagny holds up both hands, then rises from the bed. “Fine. We’ll discuss later.” With a strained smile, she turns and heads from the room.

I should call her back. There's more I could tell her, and more that I should, but Rhune's thumb is already tracing slow circles over my knuckles, and there’s an ache building behind my eyes that makes me want to curl into a ball and sleep for days.

There’s one more thing I need to do before, though…

“Before we go down to the baths, I need to make a quick trip to the restroom.” I slowly ease toward the edge of the bed.

“I will accompany you!” Rhune jumps to his feet.

“Actually, um… I prefer going by myself this time. Just this once.”

Rhune whines, but slowly lowers himself back to the bed. “Okay… I will wait right here until you return.”

I let out a small laugh, kissing his cheek lightly. I turn to Nyx next, touching my lips lightly to his jaw, loving the shudder that runs through him.

"I'll be quick. I promise."

I leave the room, stepping into the hallway. Instead of heading toward the restroom, I take the passage toward the unused rooms where they are probably keeping Cin.

Eventually, I find what I’m looking for. Cyprien stands just outside the unassuming door, his hands braced on his hips as he whistles a happy tune.